ROI Analysis: How Much Does It Cost to Implement AI in Your Business?

NC Media
Jan 19
2 min read

When hearing the term "digitalization," many entrepreneurs automatically think of expensive servers and teams of developers. However, if you are wondering how much does it cost to implement AI in reality, the answer will surprise you: probably less than your office coffee budget.

At NC Media, we have analyzed the cost-benefit ratio for dozens of clients. The conclusion is clear: in 2026, the risk is not the cost of implementation, but the cost of staying behind. Here is the math behind a modernized business.

A futuristic robot shaped like a dollar sign, symbolizing the integration of technology into finance, surrounded by coins and banknotes in an abstract setting.

1. Hard Costs: Software Subscriptions

The myth that you need tens of thousands of euros is false. For 90% of SMEs, the "tech stack" is incredibly accessible.

Text Assistants (ChatGPT Team / Claude): ~$25-30 / user / month.
Visual Generation (MidJourney / Canva Magic): ~$10-50 / month.
Automation (Zapier / Make): ~$20-50 / month.

Practically, with an investment of under €100 per month, an employee receives "superpowers" that double their work speed.

2. Budget Breakdown: How much does it cost to implement AI properly?

If the software is cheap, where is the real investment? The answer is: in Education and Strategy. Buying a subscription is the easy part. The challenge is teaching the team how to use it.

Audit and Consulting: To avoid throwing money out the window, you need a clear plan.
Team Training: An unused tool is a useless expense. The real cost is the time allocated to create procedures and train employees to think alongside AI.

3. Calculating ROI (Return on Investment)

Let's do a simple profitability calculation. Assume an employee paid €15/hour wastes one hour daily on repetitive tasks (reports, standard emails, summaries).